Day Two of the Urban Picnic Party Reviewed
Day two of the Dublin City Soul Festival’s urban picnic party was yet another night to remember, or not, as the case may be for a lot of sorry heads today! What a night though! The amount of polished Irish talent knocking around continues to amaze me… of the musical variety of course.
A group of us were lucky enough to grab a perfect table. Nicely nestled between the Porter Houses’ yummy brews and the very front of the stage, but we gave it all up for very special guests John Shelley and the Creatures and hit the dance floor. As soon as the band played their track “Long may you Reign” heads were turning, mumbling “I know this song”… ah the power of advertising! Their music has been played in every single home, shop, car and cinema across the country when it featured in the Northern Irish tourist advert. These Belfast boys have taken the Irish music scene by storm and the crowd loved them. Their rich accents and mandolins shed fresh feel good vibes across the length and breadth of Meeting House Square.
Other highlights from the night were Liz Seaver, Milk, Von Shakes, The Juice and Murder Plan who put in fantastic performances. History of Harry played an amazing feel good set of songs. They had a bluesy garage sound all of their own that got feet tapping left right and center. Lead vocalist, Richard Farrell, has a unique husky voice that’s not too sweet and not too raw. These guys were a really great soulful act that got people moving.
The Resistance were back again this year to entertain us with songs from their debut album. They opened the set with their title track ‘Bag of Bones’ which… no one could resist (bad I know, sorry!). These boys are true professionals and had their set down to a fine polished art.
Special guests, The Burning Effigies rounded the night off nicely and completely blew everyone away. So much so, the dancing masses under the stage (myself included) wouldn’t let them leave and they very nicely obliged our sequence of “ONE MORE TUNE” requests. No one wanted to leave by the end of it but the lovely security guards managed to usher us out safe and sound with everyone leaving with very smiley, happy faces 
Get yourself down to Meeting House Square in Temple Bar for more festivities tonight. The much loved Candidates are all set to headline the last night… can’t wait!
By Aine Gilligan
